Supporters get refunds for rigged Serie A match

Supporters who attended a Serie A game in 2011 have been awarded damages after it was proved the match was fixed.

Bari's 2-0 home defeat to Lecce on May 15, 2011, has been the subject of a lawsuit against both clubs, brought by a group of fans.

The judge in the court case has ruled in the fans' favour, saying their "sporting passion had been ruined" that day, and confirming that every spectator in attendance that day is entitled to 400 Euros in compensation.

Defender Andrea Masiello, who now plays for Atalanta, has admitted fixing the game, and is liable to cover the compensation costs.

Masiello was due to earn 300,000 Euros after conspiring with Lecce staff to allow them to win the game, which meant they avoided relegation to Serie B. The player, who was arrested in April 2012, eventually received 200,000 Euros.

"In the first half, we played well, like we wanted to win," Masiello said last year. "But inside me, the necessity of making the team due to the amount of money I had been promised was weighing me down. Unpleasant things happened and I know this and am ashamed of it."

To receive the damages, fans must provide a copy of Masiello's admission to having fixed the game in addition to proof they attended the game, such as the match ticket.